April 9, 2025 | Buncombe County Board of Adjustment

Buncombe County Board of Adjustment Meeting Recap – April 9, 2025

The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment convened on April 9, 2025, with all five board members (Paul Wilsinski, Greg Allen, Andy Ball, Carol McCrory, and Catherine Morsani) present for the majority of the proceedings. The meeting primarily focused on reviewing three pending variance requests, impacting property owners seeking adjustments to Buncombe County zoning regulations. The Board's decisions will directly affect development plans and potentially impact neighboring residents, highlighting the importance of these deliberations.

The meeting began with routine administrative matters, including roll call and a review of minutes from previous meetings. Concerns were raised about the detail included in those minutes, specifically regarding a lack of documentation for questions posed to applicants. Consequently, the Board decided to postpone approval of those minutes until their next meeting, allowing for a more comprehensive review. The bulk of the session centered on three specific variance requests, each presenting unique challenges and considerations for the Board.

The first major decision involved a request from Stern regarding stormwater variance, which was granted a continuance and rescheduled for the next regular meeting in May. The second significant item on the agenda was a variance request from David Wink (ZPH 2025-0001), concerning an existing garage he intends to convert into a dwelling unit. After considerable debate focusing on the property’s history, zoning regulations, and whether Wink's situation constituted a genuine hardship under county ordinances, the Board ultimately voted to deny the variance. This decision underscored their commitment to upholding the spirit and intent of county zoning regulations, emphasizing that a hardship must meet a specific threshold. Finally, the Board opted to continue the case of AKNRS Investments (ZPH 2025-0005), which involves setback variances related to a property with a DOT right-of-way. This continuation will allow the applicant time to potentially revise their proposal, address concerns raised by the Board, and provide additional documentation like a property survey and feedback from the fire marshal.

Community input played a key role in the discussion surrounding the AKNRS Investments variance. A neighbor of the property spoke during the hearing, voicing concerns about potential noise and visual impacts on the neighborhood if the variance were approved. The Board acknowledged these concerns, which factored into their decision to postpone a final ruling on the matter. Throughout all discussions, Board members consistently emphasized the importance of considering community feedback and potential impacts on neighboring properties when making decisions about variances.

Looking ahead, several action items have been identified. County staff will draft an official order denying David Wink’s variance request, formally documenting the Board's decision. The AKNRS Investments case will be rescheduled for consideration at the next meeting, providing an opportunity for further discussion and potential revisions. Finally, the Board will revisit the minutes from March and April 2nd at their next meeting to ensure accuracy and completeness. Residents can expect further updates on these matters as the Board continues its work in ensuring responsible land use within Buncombe County.